Eleanor’s espresso-stained document, and the sudden match to Malloy’s handwriting, lay in her hand. Mallory tried to grab it back, but Eleanor raised her arm high. Being shorter, Mallory couldn’t reach it.
Eleanor scoffed, looking at Mallory with an air of superiority. “You think howling a holy happens overnight? Sure, you can try hiding it in the early months, but what about the months after? You can’t just make a pregnancy disappear.”
“I’ve never left this city. If I had ever been heavily pregnant and given birth, do you think no one would have noticed? Do you think everyone in this circle is that clueless?”
The guests considered her words, and Lealtred she had a point.
“I think she’s right.”
“Yeah, this doesn’t add up. I’ve never even heard a whisper about something like this.”
“Exact est look at M. Sandberg. She’s wearing a fitted dress, and her stomach is flat. She doesn’t look like someone who’s had a baby.”
Sebastian paused mid-step. He had been about to intervene, but Eleanor had already turned the situation around on her own. Standing under the dazzling crystal chandeliers, she was radiant and untouchable. No matter where she was or what situation she faced, she would never allow herself to fall into disgrace, not even back then.
“You! How spineless can you all be? You just believe whatever she says? Are you allations?” Mallory was losing her mind.
That didn’t sit well with the guests, and one of them immediately fired back, “Do you have any photos or videos of Eleanor being pregnant? Any witnesses? Any physical proof? Can the doctors at Jorstone General Hospital vouch for you?”
“I–I,” Mallory stammered, unable to answer.
The other guests raised their voices.
“You burve nothing! Did you seriously expect us to attack Ms. Sandberg on your behalf just because of a random sheet of paper? We’d be fools to do that!”
Beat crumpled the paper into a ball, her expression calm as she gazed at the crowd.
“So, do you believe Mallory, someone caught red-handed hiring stalkers, taking secret photos, and inciting cyberbullying, or do you believe me?”
The guests didn’t hesitate.
“We believe you, Ms. Sandberg. You’re more credible.”
“Yes! Ms. Trenton’s claims sound fake. I don’t believe a word of it. Honestly, I think she panicked and forged some “evidence” to drag someone down with her after getting caught doing something shady.”
Mallory had no way to refute them. She held her head, shouting in frustration, “This document is all—I didn’t forge it!”
Just then, a deep voice sounded from behind Elvan.
“What’s the point of arguing with her?”
Everyone instinctively turned to look. All of them knew Sebastian was adopted and had no real power and influence in the Porter family. But somehow, the moment he appeared, his sheer presence made people unconsciously step back and look up at him.
“You’ve slandered her again and again. You just can’t stop, can you? Even if the willing to let it slide this time, I won’t. The Trenton Family should prepare for a lawsuit.”
Jorstone City’s upper crust prided themselves on their reputation. Getting dragged into court over something like this would be beyond humiliating.
Steven and Helena turned toward their daughter.
“Mallory, do you realize how stupid you’ve been? Apologize to Ms. Sandwerg right now!” Steven snapped. “Say it was all a joke, and maybe she’ll be generous enough to let it go.”
“If apologies were enough, the prison would be empty,” Sebastian said icily.
Compared to Eleanor’s sharp retaliation, Sebastian openly taking her side was what really broke Mallory.
“Sebastian, you don’t believe me either?”
Sebastian let out a cold laugh.
“You think I should believe you over my own wife?”
Mallory looked as if she’d been struck by lightning. “She’s your wife? Are you kidding me? Did you forget that you saved me when we were kids? We were supposed to be together!”